Puppies sold at pet stores linked to Ohio outbreak, six other states

Puppies sold at Petland are linked as the likely source of an infection outbreak in Ohio and six other states.

The outbreak of the infection, which can spread to people from puppies and dogs, has been linked to 39 people reported sick including nine hospitalizations, though no deaths have been reported, according to the Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control. People with the Campylobacter infection might show no signs of illness or might have diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever.

Petland said in a statement that “The CDC has not identified any failures of Petland’s operating system that would lead to any campylobacter infection. Petland reinforces proper hand sanitization before and after playing with any of our puppies with the many sanitation stations in each store and has strict kennel sanitation procedures and protocols put in place by consulting veterinarians. The CDC stated that ‘regardless of where they came from, any puppy and dog’ can carry the germ. However, Petland is the only national source of puppies that can trace a puppy from its new owner back to its original kennel. Petland is proud of our commitment to quality controls and record keeping and we are happy to help the CDC in this new endeavor.”

Locally, Petland has a store in the Miller Lane area at 3444 York Commons Blvd.

The agencies said in a statement that evidence links puppies sold at Petland as the likely source of the outbreak and Petland is “cooperating with public health and animal health officials to address this outbreak.”

The CDC advises:

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching dogs, their poop, or their food. Take extra care that children playing with the puppies also wash their hands carefully.

Pick up and dispose of dog poop, especially in areas where children might play.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness in your puppy or dog.